PUBLIC WORKS ACT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 November 1927, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS ACT.

AMENDMENTS PROPOSED. IHV rF.I.EnjIAPH' ~PKF.BS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. The Minister of Public \\ orks moved in the House of Representatives tonight the second reading of the Public Works Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill was purely u machinery measure, and was preparing the waj for a general consolidation of the law relating to public works. One clause of the Bill sets out more clearly the procedure in serving claims for romoensation under the principal Act of *I9OB. Land taken for public works and afterwards not required for such purpose may be sold. An amendmeat is now proposed to allow of the selling of such land on the deferred payment system, the payments to extend over a period of not more than five years. . , Another amendment is .suggested' tor the purpose of dealing separately witn the apportionment of the cost of the construction of roads or streets. This is -dealt with in a clause which makes it apply only in cases where a. road or proposed road is largely used or likel.i to be used by traffic from two or more districts. further clause has been framed with a view to protecting the rights "of the Crown and local authorities in respect of telephone wires, electric wires, etc., placed under roads or streets in cases where the rights might- be interfered with by allowing private persons to put petrol storage tanks under roads or streets.

Under the law as it stands the proclamation of the “middle line” of a proposed railway affects all land within 10 chains of the* middle line, and a proclamation has to he registered against tiie titles of all lands affected. A proposed amendment will enable the Gov-ernor-General to prescribe in any case the extent to which the- proclamation of the “middle line” will affect the land on either side.

The law at present places a restriction upon the transfer of all lands subject to an irrigation agreement, the object- being to ensure the payment of all fees. ! This restriction is thought to he too wide, and will he removed by a proposed amendment except in cases where default is made in the payment of fees. The Minister proposed to ask the House to strike out Clause 11. The first and second readings were subsequently carried.